I support the motion. Those with disabilities are the most vulnerable people in our society. That is a fact. Right across Mayo and the rest of Ireland, there are people with disabilities who are struggling. In many cases, they are struggling physically. They are struggling to overcome all of the barriers they encounter in daily life. Now, increasingly, they are struggling with an enormous burden financially as well. The financial burden on so many vulnerable people is incredible. The Indecon report of 2021 outlined that the cost of disability, which is the additional cost for a person, is €12,000 annually. When indexed against inflation, the amount involved rises to €15,000. Despite that and, what the Government said during the general election campaign to the effect that it was going to prioritise those with disabilities - it is even in the programme for Government - what has actually happened is that supports for people with disabilities have been cut by up to €1,400. People with disabilities are significantly less well off this year than they were last year, despite all the rhetoric. That is why I am so disappointed. The motion before us, which is a good one, will provide practical support for people with disabilities. It offers, perhaps, a very small glimmer of hope during this very difficult winter for those individuals. The Government, however, has completely erased the motion. That is extraordinary. When they reflect on their political careers, will the Minister of State and the members of the Government be able to say that they supported the most vulnerable in our society, the people who could not necessarily always advocate for themselves or those who are struggling at home? The motion would offer people practical support in terms of a payment this winter and a recognition of the fact that there is a cost of disability, that this cost should be recognised by the State and that support should be available to them.

Sentiment score: -0.09